Monaghan has sympathy. He just can't relate.
Behind a large and talented offensive line that includes three Division I commits, center Brandon Arcidiacono (Rutgers), tackle Frank Taylor (Boston College) and tight end Colin Thompson (Florida), it's almost as if Monaghan spends each game at the beach.
"Last game, I got hit three times," he said, referring to the Vikings' 42-12 win over Monsignor Bonner for the Catholic AAA title, "and that was the most I'd been hit since our opener against Pittsburgh Central Catholic."
Hit was used loosely.
"Actually, I only went down once," he said, smiling. "The other two hits were taps on the shoulder."
While leading Wood - set to face Murrell Dobbins Tech for the AAA City Title at noon Saturday, at Northeast - to a 10-1 overall record and 487 points, Monaghan has been quite the picture of near-perfection.
The Daily News has been keeping detailed track of city statistics since 1981 and, in that time frame, the best passing percent (minimum 100 attempts) was posted by Cardinal O'Hara's Colin Smith (63.1) in 2001.
Monaghan's is way better, though he's still short on attempts. He's an incredible 60-for-76 (78.9!!) for 1,158 yards and 16 TDs and his yards-per-attempt number is also outrageously gaudy (15.2).
When asked about his stats, Monaghan turned three shades of red.
"I never thought something like this would happen," he said. "But my line has been doing a great job all year, and the receivers make all the plays. I just have to put it around them."
When asked whether his pass-catchers have been pass-droppers at least a time or two, he thought for a second then cooed, "I don't think so. No drops come to mind."
